Bioswales

Improve water quality and retention 

With drier summers and shifting precipitation patterns expected in the coming years, preserving water in the environment is becoming increasingly important.  When water flows too quickly through a watershed, it fails to adequately recharge groundwater, leading to lower water levels during the dry season.  Bioswales act to slow down the flow of water and capture it in shallow depressions.  They allow it to infiltrate into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies and providing more moisture for plant life.  

In addition to enhancing water retention, bioswales help filter out contaminants, such as those originating from roads.  The top layer of the bioswale is typically composed of soil or biochar, which trap sediment and pollutants as water flow in.  It then undergoes additional filtration as water percolates through the soil.  

Fuel and fire risk management

With increasing drought and wildfire risks threatening both the environment and nearby communities, it is essential to find effective ways to mitigate these dangers.  One approach involves reducing excess woody debris on the forest floor which serves as fuel for wildfires.  Bioswales are confined, strategically placed and configured piles of forest material that act to repurpose forest debris to reduce fire risk whilst also promoting water retention.  This then reduces fire risk by enhancing water retention in the landscape, supporting healthier vegetation and increasing soil moisture.  

Soil and biodiversity support

Another current threat to the environment is the rapid decline in biodiversity.  A major cause of this is habitat loss and changing environmental conditions.  Typically removing debris from the forest floor can negatively affect biodiversity as fallen logs and branches provide habitat for many small animals such as insects, amphibians, and small mammals such as mice and squirrels.  Rather than removing the debris entirely to reduce fire risk, repurposing it into bioswales can help support habitat for these animals, maintaining biodiversity.  

Leaving woody debris in the environment is also beneficial to support soil enrichment.  The forest needs organic material deposition in order to support nutrient cycling and soil productivity.  Building bioswales will ensure that this material is kept in the ecosystem and allows it to decompose and enhance the soil nutrients and productivity.  

Biochar in the environment

Biochar is a form of charcoal produced by urning organic matter in a low oxygen environment.  This substance offers numerous environmental benefits, including improved soil health, enhanced water and nutrient retention, and long-term carbon sequestration.  Biochar is increasingly being studied as a tool to combat climate change, as it sequesters carbon in a stable form in the soil.  This process helps return carbon to the ground and prevents it from entering the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.  

In addition to its climate benefits, biochar supports forest health by improving soil structure.  Its porous nature enhances soil aeration and water infiltration, which in turn boosts nutrient and pollutant retention.  With its high water holding capacity, biochar also helps maintain soil moisture.